Universal Lace / Cord Lock System

ABSTRACT

A cord locking system is provided that allows a user to easily, rapidly, and effectively lock/unlock a lace in one single-handed, swift motion. The locking device includes a pair of arms that can freely rotate around a swivel point within a base that lock teeth against the lace by using compression forces controlled by a spring. The arrangement of the arms protrude outside the base for easy engagement/disengagement, with a mechanical advantage using leverage to reduce the required forces to act against the spring force at the teeth. The arms are configured in a curved scissors-like handle for an easy swift grasp contoured to the shape of your fingers with a single-handed motion. The most basic application is in outdoor sports, such as snowboarding. A snowboard rider can easily lock the boot laces with a swift motion and just as easily disengage the locking device under harsh, frozen, winter conditions while wearing gloves. Each boot would include a pull tool on the end of the boot lace with each side of the lace running through the assembled locking device. To disengage the locking mechanism, lift two fingers upward so that the teeth open and allow the device to slide up and down the laces toward the preferred location. To lock, press the arms toward the base to tighten further into position and then let go of the locking device allowing the spring to maintain the locked position.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to lace/cord locking systems that can specificallybe used with articles of footwear within outdoor recreational sportssuch as snowboard boots but also cycling, hiking, hockey skates, andwakeboarding equipment.

2. Discussion of Related Art

There are many different lace locking devices in the market, such asLacers, Yankz, Crossbow Sure Lock, Lacelock, the Burton Lace Lock,Hyperlite State wakeboard bindings, the Boa Lacing System, and manymore. Most of these systems include a specific lace with the productbecause the type of locking mechanism requires a precise size and acertain material of the lace for the product to work properly. They havea single tooth-like contact point that can easily snag the lace, causingpermanent damage. The locking mechanism poorly holds into place, withthe assumption that the tightness from the shoe/boot keeps the plungingmechanism in a locking position. After minutes of use, these mechanismseventually work free with little to no holding force. There are otherdevices that work with a spring action but at a single contact pointwith no leverage advantage so the spring is either too weak to locktight or too tight to easily loosen. Other devices that do lock requiremore complicated locking procedures so that it is not easy to tighten orrelease either by force or requiring both hands. Lastly, a more recentconcept in snowboarding and wakeboarding equipment is the cable ratchetsystem called Boa Lacing System. This product includes a metal cable asyour lace and locks by rotating a knob that intertwines the cableinside. To release, press the knob. This concept is quite expensive,requires a metal cable that digs into your skin, and can get tangled anddamaged that is almost impossible to repair.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The function of this apparatus is to lock shoe laces quickly andsecurely without the necessity of tying them by hand. With theadjustable interlocking system, this product uniquely offers flexibilityso it can be used on any size/type of lace and not be dependent onspecific size or material of the lace. The user only needs to squeezethe apparatus' arms together, then thread the laces through the baseopenings, after laces are threaded inside apparatus, user needs tosqueeze arms together again, grasp both laces in one hand and then slideapparatus toward the shoe, after arms are released shoe laces will beefficiently and durably secured in place, small size of the apparatusallows to be tack inside of the boots. This product can theoretically beused on any lace material, any size of lace, and just about any lacelocking application with the ease of one hand.

This apparatus can be used by an original OEM to implement within theirproduct, sold through retail channels direct to the customer as anaccessory, used by repair or service rental shops, or to be used as areplacement to any other shoe laces locking devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing.

The drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the components within the locking devicein a “V-shaped” concept

FIG. 1B is an assembly drawing of the components within the lockingdevice in a “V-shaped” concept

FIG. 1C is a sectional view of the V-assembly concept with the arms andthe laces

FIG. 1D is a sectional view of the V-assembly with the arms springforced into a locking position on the laces

FIG. 1E is a sectional view of the V-assembly with the arms disengagedallowing the laces to slide smoothly within the device

FIG. 2A is a detailed view of the base

FIG. 2B is a detailed view of the arm

FIG. 2C is a detailed view of the compression spring

FIG. 2D is a detailed view of the pull tool

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the components within the locking devicein an alternate “X-shaped” concept

FIG. 3B is an assembly drawing of the components within the lockingdevice in an alternate “X-shaped” concept

FIG. 3C is a sectional view of the X-assembly with the arms springforced into a locking position on the laces

FIG. 3D is a sectional view of the X-assembly with the arms disengagedallowing the laces to slide smoothly within the device

FIG. 4A is an intertwined configuration of the teeth alignment betweenthe arm and the base.

FIG. 4B is an alternative configuration of the teeth alignment betweenthe arm and the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention described herein are not limited in theirapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. Other embodiments are capable of being practiced or carriedout in different ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass theitems listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additionalitems.

In FIG. 1A, the drawing includes all of the exploded parts for theassembly of a V-shaped lock configuration: the symmetrical and identicalbases (101, 102), the symmetrical and identical arms (103, 104), onecompression spring (105), a complete shoe lace—right side and left side(106, 107) from a single boot/shoe, and the pull tool (108). Each end ofthe shoe lace (106, 107) would run through the lock lace device thatincludes the base parts (101, 102)/arms (103, 104)/spring (105) and upto the pull tool (108). The two base parts (101, 102) snap fit togetherand the spring (105) forces the two arms (103, 104) against the teethcompartment within both base parts, locking the shoe lace (106, 107)motion.

In FIG. 1B, the drawing includes all of the exploded parts from FIG. 1Abut in a complete assembly. The two identical arms (103, 104) cross eachother and fit inside the two mounting base shells (101, 102), with acompression spring (105)—not visible. Each end of the shoe lace (106,107) runs through each side of the locking device as shown from thepoint of the V-shaped base to the top/outer part of the base parts. Eachend of the lace (106, 107) runs through the inside of the pull tool(108), up through the center hole of the pull tool, and the laces aretied together in a knot (106.1, 107.1). The pull tool is used to tightenthe desired position of the locking V-shaped device. The locking deviceis locked down by the force of the spring with the teeth grabbing eachside of the lace. The overall dimension of the locking device assemblyis 2 in wide by 1.5 in tall and approx ¼ in thick.

In FIG. 1C, the drawing involves a cross-section of the assembly lockingdevice from FIG. 1B showing the inside view of the base shell. The twoidentical arms (103, 104) cross mount within the base piece (101). Thecompression spring (part 105) force the teeth of the two arms (103, 104)against the shoe lace (106, 107) to lock it against the teeth of thebase (101) within the shoe lace channel. The teeth are oriented in a wayto prevent motion of the shoe lace upward from loosening the shoe lacebut allowing the motion to move upward to tighten the shoe lace whilethe arms are locked. To easily disengage the locking mechanism, use theforce of your fingers as leverage from the rotation of the post of thebase (101) to the ends of the arms (103, 104). The shape and material ofboth arms (103, 104) allow the user to easily grab the part to disengagewith two fingers from one hand by pulling the device upward, toward theuser. To tighten, pull arms together within the locking device, pushaway while pulling the pull tool (108) and let go of the arms to engagethe spring that locks the device at each end of the lace. The V-shapedconcept takes advantage of three things; 1) the lever arm, 2) awedge/pinch turn at base exit, and 3) the forces against the base teeth.The lever arm is maximized in the V-shape from the ends of the arms(103, 104) to the tip of the V-shape at the rotation of the post of thebase (101). The wedge feature occurs naturally as the shoe laces (106,107) bend at a tight 90 degree or more from the point of the V-shapedbase outward towards the shoe. This outward force of the shoe lace,presses against the base teeth, and works with the spring force and thetwo arms; which in turn aids in the locking concept.

In FIG. 1D, the drawing demonstrates the full locking position of thedevice as the force from the spring (105) is pressing the two arms (103,104) against the base (101, 102—not shown) with the shoe lace ends (106,107) locked in between. The arms' motion may rotate around the pivotpoint of the base post (101.1). This force can be controlled by thespring parameters such as the material, spring OD, material OD, andspring length. The teeth from the arms (103.1, 104.1) and base (101.5,101.6) are designed to be intertwined with multi-contact points againstthe laces (106, 107) so that it will not pinch/knot at one location butstill lock motion. The compression spring (105) force the teeth of thetwo arms (103.1, 104.1) against the shoe lace (106, 107) to lock itagainst the teeth of the base (101.5, 101.6) within the shoe lacechannel. To tighten this lock, push apart the arms by pushing downwardwith your fingers against the arms while pulling the pull tool (108).Simply let go of the arms to engage the spring that locks the device ateach end of the lace (106, 107).

In FIG. 1E, the drawing demonstrates the full disengagement of thedevice as the arms (103, 104) open up against the spring (105) withinthe base (101, 102—not shown) allowing the shoe lace ends (106, 107) toeasily slide within the locking device. The mechanical advantage of thelever arm from the rotation of the base at the lever post (101.1) to theends of the arms (103, 104) allow the user to easily disengage thelocking device and press against the compression force of the spring(105). To easily disengage the locking mechanism, the arms use leveragewith the simple force of your fingers from the rotation of the base atthe lever post (101.1) to the ends of the arms (103, 104). The shape andmaterial of the arms (103, 104) allow you to easily grab the part todisengage with two fingers of your hand by pulling the device upward,toward yourself. Based on the dimensions for this specific example, theopen channel allows the laces to be up to 5 mm in OD width.

In FIG. 2A, the drawing includes a detailed model of the base (101) fromthe V-shaped concept. This part includes the lever post (101.1), the 3full pins (101.2), the 2 half pins (101.1, 101.3), the mounting holes(101.4), and the base teeth (101.5, 101.6). The two base parts areidentical mirror image of each other and snap together 3 full pins(101.2), into the opposite end holes (101.4) and the 2 half pins (101.1,101.3) pair up within each other. The base unit can either be press fittogether with an arbor press or can even be ultrasonically welded orglued together for a true form fit. The outer base shell that is exposedafter assembly would include the LOX locking device logo imprinted inthe plastic.

In FIG. 2B, the drawing includes a detailed model of the arm (103) fromthe V-shaped concept. This part includes the arm teeth (103.1), the endof the arm (103.2), the rotational hole of the arm (103.3), the springmounting post (103.4), and the spring end surface (103.5). The arms'teeth (103.1) must be oriented and positioned in a way to align properlywith the base teeth. The teeth tips may need to be slightly chamferedwith a radius so the teeth aren't so sharp to cut into or knot the lace.Plus, a radius would be required for the manufacturing tool inproduction. The end of the arm (103.2) could be overshot molded with arubber soft Shore durometer plastic shell to add comfort to yourfingers. The leverage from the rotation of the arm (103.3) to the end ofthe arm (103.2) offers a mechanical advantage to lock and unlock thespring force at the arm surface (103.5). The rotational hole (103.3)would need to be a perfectly round hole for smooth rotationalcharacteristics. The spring mounting post (103.4) allows for easyinstallation of the spring during the fabrication process top hold it inplace between the two arms before the base parts are connected together.

In FIG. 2C, the drawing includes a detailed model of the spring (105)from the V-shaped concept. This part includes the critical dimensionssuch as the spring length, the spring OD, the material, and the materialOD. With all of these parameters, the spring force is able to becalculated. For this example, we choose the spring length to be 1.0inch, spring OD to be 0.180 inch, material stainless steel (prevent rustin wet conditions such as water and snow), and material OD to be 0.022″.This gives us a pre-force of 1.3 lbs at the compressed length of 0.75inch and maximum compressed force of 3.3 lbs at the fully compressedlength of 0.368 inch.

In FIG. 2D, the drawing includes a detailed model of the pull tool (108)from the V-shaped concept. The pull tool is a component that ties theend of the shoe laces together for easy pulling action for tighteningthe locking device. For this specific example, the part is a vinyl cleartubing, 0.375 inch diameter, ⅛ inch thick with a 0.25 inch diameterinner hole, overall length of 1.5 inch, and a 0.1875 inch diameter holeat the top (108.1). The end of each shoe lace enters each side of the0.25 inch inner diameter hole of the pull tool, meeting at the centerwhere both lace ends exit the both the 0.1875 inch diameter hole at thetop (108.1) and tied into a knot.

In FIG. 3A, the drawing includes all of the exploded parts for theassembly of a X-shaped lock configuration: the symmetrical and identicalbases (301, 302), the symmetrical and identical arms (303, 304), onecompression spring (305), a complete shoe lace—right side and left side(306, 307) from a single boot/shoe, and the pull tool (308). Each end ofthe shoe lace (306, 307) would run through the lock lace device thatincludes the base parts (301, 302)/arms (303, 304)/spring (305) and upto the pull tool (308). The two base parts (301, 302) snap fit togetherand the spring (305) forces the two arms (303, 304) against the teethcompartment within both base parts, locking the shoe lace (306, 307)motion. The main difference between the V-shaped lock and this X-shapedlock example is the left arm (304) presses against the right lace (306)and the right arm (303) presses against the left lace (307), crossinglike a scissors configuration. FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are just a couple ofexamples in which the arms may be oriented in rotation within the baseparts and this patent design can be configured in these examples or manyvariations thereof.

In FIG. 3B, the drawing includes all of the exploded parts from FIG. 3Abut in the complete assembly. The two identical arms (303, 304) crosseach other and fit inside the two mounting base shells (301, 302), witha compression spring (305)—not visible. Once again, the arms can besqueezed inside together to loosen the lock, and pressedoutward/downward to tighten the lock for both the X-lock and V-lockconfigurations. Each end of the shoe lace (306, 307) runs through eachside of the locking device as shown from the point of the X-shaped baseto the top X-shaped base. Each end of the lace (306, 307) runs throughthe inside of the pull tool (308), up through the center hole of thepull tool, and the laces are tied together in a knot (306.1, 307.1). Thepull tool is used to tighten the desired position of the lockingX-shaped device. The overall dimension of the locking device assembly isapprox 1¾ inch wide by 1⅜ inch tall and ⅜ inch thick.

In FIG. 3C, drawing demonstrates the full locking position of the deviceas the force from the spring (305) is pressing the two arms (303, 304)against the base (301, 302) with the shoe lace ends (306, 307) locked inbetween. The arms' motion may rotate around the pivot point of the basepost. This force can be controlled by the spring parameters such as thematerial, spring OD, material OD, and spring length. The teeth from thearms (303.1, 304.1) and base (301.6, 301.5) are designed to beintertwined with multi-contact points against the laces (306, 307) sothat it will not pinch/knot at one location but still lock motion. Thecompression spring (105) force the teeth of the two arms (303.1, 304.1)against the shoe lace (306, 307) to lock it against the opposite end ofthe base's teeth (301.6, 301.5) within the shoe lace channel. To tightenthis lock, push apart the arms by pushing downward with your fingersagainst the arms while pulling the pull tool (308). Simply let go of thearms to engage the spring that locks the device at each end of the lace(306, 307). The X-lock configuration is similar to a scissors motion butwith the locking force due to spring is pressed outward against the basewith the arms cross interlocked from the base lever arm.

In FIG. 3D, the drawing demonstrates the full disengagement of thedevice as the arms (303, 304) open up against the spring (305) withinthe base (301, 302—not shown) allowing the shoe lace ends (306, 307) toeasily slide within the locking device. The mechanical advantage of thelever arm from the rotation of the base at the lever post (301.1) to theends of the arms (303, 304) allow the user to easily disengage thelocking device and press against the compression force of the spring(305). To easily disengage the locking mechanism, the arms use leveragewith the simple force of your fingers from the rotation of the base atthe lever post (301.1) to the ends of the arms (303, 304). The shape andmaterial of the arms (303, 304) allow you to easily grab the part todisengage with two fingers of your hand by pulling the device upward,toward yourself. In this motion, it is similar to cutting with scissors,squeezing the arms (303, 304) inward as they cross disengage with outerbase teeth (301, 302—not shown).

Based on the dimensions for this specific example, the open channelallows the laces to be up to 5 mm in OD width.

In FIG. 4A, the drawing demonstrates the teeth orientation configurationbetween the arm and the base. The teeth are positioned in a way tointertwine the tips of the teeth and prevent downward motion away fromthe V-lock rotation post (top position near the shoe/boot). Notice theteeth are aligned like a zig-zag puzzle without point to point contactto prevent a knot in the lace but still prevent a sliding motion. Thedrawing at Detail A is zoomed in a scale of 3:1 to show the detail of aconfiguration between the arm teeth (103.1) and the base teeth (101.5).Based on engineering test results, this configuration proved to be theoptimal in terms of holding force (up to 13 lbs) and preventing knots inthe lace/cord.

In FIG. 4B by contrast, the drawing demonstrates the teeth orientationbetween the arm and the base but in various orientations. The drawing atDetail A is zoomed in a scale of 3:1 to show the detail of anotherconfiguration between the arm teeth (103.1) and the base teeth (101.5).In this configuration, the teeth are aligned to prevent the downwardmotion of the lace but the teeth are oriented point-to-point. This lockswell but can knot the lace. The drawing at Detail B is zoomed in a scaleof 3:1 to show the detail of yet another configuration between the armteeth (104.1) and the base teeth (101.6). In this configuration, theteeth are aligned once again to prevent the downward motion of the lacebut the points are staggered. This design may still knot the lace withthe point directly at the ramped surface. These are just a few examplesof how the teeth may be oriented and this patent design can beconfigured in these examples or many variations thereof.

1. An apparatus that comprises of a universal cord locking mechanicaldevice. “Universal” in a way in which the locking lace channel can varyin size to allow for a range of lace types, such as width size andmaterial, but still lock/unlock the motion of the cord/lace effectively.2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the unit includes a lace channelwithin the locking device that engages/disengages integrated teeth tolock/unlock the motion of the cord/lace.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 2,wherein the configuration within the teeth that optimally preventsmotion in one direction of motion but allows better motion in theopposite direction of motion.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein theunit locks down on the lace in multi-contact points to optimally preventmotion of the lace within the locking device.
 5. An apparatus as inclaim 2, wherein the unit integrates the orientation of the teeth toprevent damage to the lace, such as knots in certain lace material. 6.An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the unit integrates the orientationof the teeth to prevent damage to the lace (such as a knot in thematerial of the lace) but still prevent motion of the lace through thelocking device channel by configuring the teeth so that they are alignedlike a zig-zag puzzle.
 7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the unitcontains a rotational member (may also be referred to as arms) withinthe base of the locking device.
 8. An apparatus as in claim 7, whereinthe unit protrudes a leverage from the rotational position of thelocking device to the outer dimension of the rotational member (may alsobe referred to as arms), giving a mechanical advantage toengage/disengage the locking device.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 8,wherein the unit uses a mechanical advantage of the leverage from theouter edges of the rotational member (may also be referred to as arms)to work against an adjustable force such as a compression spring orthereof as referred in claim
 14. 10. An apparatus as in claim 7, whereinthe unit orients the rotational member (may also be referred to as arms)in a way that allows for easy engagement/disengagement of the lockingdevice.
 11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the unit specificallypositions the rotational member (may also be referred to as arms) sothat as you pull with one hand (ie 2 fingers) toward the user todisengage the locking device with one swift, easy motion.
 12. Anapparatus as in claim 10, wherein the unit specifically positions therotational member (may also be referred to as arms) so that as you pushwith one hand (ie 2 fingers) toward the locking member of the laces, itengages the locking device and then the controlled locking force such asa compression spring or thereof as referred in claim 14 maintains thelock in position as you let go.
 13. An apparatus as in claim 7, whereinthe rotational member (may also be referred to as arms) can be used toopen the locking channel to allow for various lace types, such as widthsize and material, but still lock/unlock the motion of the cord/laceeffectively.
 14. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the unit includesan adjustable force such as a compression spring that can control thelocking force of the device.
 15. An apparatus as in claim 14, whereinthe unit requires a pre-compression force such as a compression springor thereof so that the locking range always contains a pre-engagedlocking force on the lace.
 16. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein theunit requires a range of compression force such as a compression springor thereof so that the range of motion against this compression forcewithin the locking channel is an adequate force to prevent the lace fromslipping in the desired locking motion requirement for the application.17. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the unit includes a need tolocking cords in applications of outdoor recreational sports such as andnot limited to snowboarding, wakeboarding, rock climbing, hiking,hockey, clothing line, running, and so on.
 18. An apparatus as in claim17, wherein the unit involves the locking cord requirement on boot/shoelace applications for easy replacement of knot tying. This may includesuch applications and is not limited to snowboarding for simple andquick engagement/disengagement of the user's bootlaces within snowsportharsh environment wearing gloves and frozen laces, and or involveswakeboarding for simple and quick engagement/disengagement of the user'swakeboard bindings within the watersports environment in water, and orinvolves the sport of hockey for simple and quickengagement/disengagement of the user's ice skate bootlaces withinhockey's harsh cold, icy environment wearing gloves, and or involvessimply any shoe/boot application (such as running, hiking, other sports)in which the locking device may hold stronger than a knot andengage/disengage quicker than the process of tying laces.
 19. Anapparatus as in claim 17, wherein the unit involves simply any cordlocking application related to the sport of rock climbing in which thelocking device may hold a lock on a lace or cord and can quicklyengage/disengage.
 20. An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the unitoffers a soft, ergonomic feel on the rotational member (may also bereferred to as arms) in terms of shape, texture, and/or material. Theshape may include and is not limited to a curved pleasant contour forpreferred finger/hand/thumb engagement. The texture may include and isnot limited to grooves, ridges, splattered, sponged, webbed, dotted,brushed, bubbled, and so on. The material may include and is not limitedto a hard backbone with a soft shore durometer material as an overshotmold.
 21. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the unit offers certainmaterial/size characteristics that may require much smaller or largerthan 2 inch×1½ inch or much softer/harder depending on the application.For example, running applications may require a much smaller unit so itcan easily be hidden and unobtrusive. Or it may require a softer, shoredurometer shell with an overshot mold on the base of the part for soccerin terms of kicking the ball with your cleats.